Putin accuses US of ‘blackmail’ on French bank fine

On the 1 July 2014, Russian president Vladimir Putin accused the United States of using bank fines to 'blackmail' France on arms sales, amid Western division on Ukraine. EUObserver reported on the 7 July 2014 that several EU states were actually imposing an arms ban on Russia.

The Ambassador of Ukraine to the EU Kostiantyn Yelisieiev stated that the French contract to sell two Mistral helicopter carriers to Russia violated the basic rules of the European Union.

French President François Hollande said on the 21 July 2014 that a decision on whether to deliver a second Mistral helicopter carrier to Russia would depend on Moscow's attitude over the Ukraine crisis.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Obama lets down Hollande in Paribas case http://www.europeansources.info/record/obama-lets-down-hollande-in-paribas-case/

ESO: Background information: Germany backs France on Russia warship contract http://www.europeansources.info/record/germany-backs-france-on-russia-warship-contract/

Russian Presidency: Press Release, 01.07.14: Conference of Russian ambassadors and permanent representatives http://eng.kremlin.ru/news/22586

France 24, 01.07.14: US pressure on French banks ‘blackmail’ over warship sale, Putin says http://www.france24.com/en/20140701-putin-us-pressure-french-banks-blackmail-russia-warship-sale/

EUObserver, 07.07.14: Several EU states impose arms ban on Russia http://euobserver.com/investigations/124883

EurActiv, 15.07.14: Ukrainian ambassador: French Mistral contract violates EU rules http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/ukrainian-ambassador-french-mistral-contract-violates-eu-rules-303474

EUObserver, 18.07.14: Air disaster puts spotlight on French warship for Russia http://euobserver.com/foreign/125047

EurActiv, 22.07.14: Hollande: Delivery of second Mistral warship depends on Russia’s ‘attitude’ http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/hollande-delivery-second-mistral-warship-depends-russias-attitude-303616

ESO: Key Source: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2015 - Key source http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/

France 24, 22.07.14: Hollande says French warship delivery will ‘depend on Russia’s attitude’ http://www.france24.com/en/20140722-us-uk-oppose-france-sale-mistral-warship-russia-ukraine-cameron/

The Guardian, 21.07.14: EU blacklists Vladimir Putin's 'cronies' as David Cameron calls for arms ban http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/21/eu-vladimir-putin-david-cameron-arms-sale-ban

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